I'm new 1addicts and I'm after some advice. I currently own a Dec 2007 Audi S3, 3 door, manual with 45000km on the clock and I'm thinking of trading it in for a 2006 130i M Sport with 44000km on the clock, what are your thoughts.

I understand the car may not handle as well due to being rear wheel drive only but power looks the same. My only concern is are they very tail happy during normal driving and any common problems.

They can be tail happy if you insist or go for it, when wet you should have more reserves to avoid surprises, and about handling, the 130i would outhandle your S3, which aren't brilliant performers anyways, the 130i is the better car, although I am bias as I have a 130i.

I'm new 1addicts and I'm after some advice. I currently own a Dec 2007 Audi S3, 3 door, manual with 45000km on the clock and I'm thinking of trading it in for a 2006 130i M Sport with 44000km on the clock, what are your thoughts.

I understand the car may not handle as well due to being rear wheel drive only but power looks the same. My only concern is are they very tail happy during normal driving and any common problems.

Went from an MkV R32 with KW V3, anti lift kit, sway bars, Haldex V2 to a stock 130i. Apart from the uber smooth engine I can tell you now that the 1 series in terms of driver control and feedback beats any VWAG vehicle I've driven. Heavier steering needs a bit of getting used to but it sure as heck beats the numb and light econobox feel of VW and Audis. Clutch and gearbox are no comparison too. All I've done so far is disconnect the vacuum hose for the flapper valve in the exhaust but it gives me more of a thrill and connectedness every time.

Whilst it may not be as accelerative as a 135i or have the awd traction of the S3, the 130i is still a great drivers car. In my opinion, this is mainly due to the crisp, free-revving and great-sounding NA N52 3.0L, the manual gearbox and the heavy hydraulic (not the light VAG electro-hydraulic) steering.

If you go ahead with the purchase, I'd recommend binning the runflats and putting some decent tyres on it. They can be lairy in the wet, especially if you are in DTC mode or DSC off. Wouldn't be as good as the S3 in that regard, but rwd does have its advantages when it comes to fun, as I experienced at MDTC last week http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enW9yArvWrM

Don't get me wrong I love the S3, but with a lot of city driving I now want a auto but still want a bit of grunt and to be honest I don't really want a turbo car anymore hate the lag, even on the S3 there's a bit of lag.

I could totally change my mind tomorrow once I've driven the 130i it could be c&@p but I doubt it.

I had a 2007 S3 and I'm not sure the 130i is a trade up.
I changed the swaybars and put in the whiteline anti lift kit and the handling was pretty bloody good. IMO better than the stock 135i.
When tuned it was pretty quick as well.

I also thought the S3 is way up there with the 130i if not better, given the AWD and the ability to tune the turbo. But if you are sick of turbo and manual, I reckon the auto130i is the next best thing. Definitely no lag there. Do let us know what u think after test drive.